Meet Christina Lauria! This Roanoke native has been a dancer her whole life and has a passion to share her love of dance with others. She’s turned her passion into a career and begins her new adventure in Los Angeles this week. We absolutely love the time Christina spends with us at JDR when she’s in town – her bubbly personality and contagious smile can light up any room. This girl is destined for great things. Go show LA what you’ve got, Christina! We can’t wait to hear all about your journey!

So, you’ve been taking classes here since December of 2012. What brought you to your first class?

I passed JDR on my way to dance class everyday and was always intrigued by the bright colors and the disco ball. Two of the biggest components in my life are fitness and dancing so when I researched what JDR was, I knew I had to try it out for myself. Obviously, I fell in love.

What are your favorite songs to twerk-out to when you’re dancing with us?

Back to Twerk Challenge: Tuesday, September 6th- Sunday, October 9th

Summer is over and school is back in session! This time of year can be challenging with routine changes, kids, students and teachers returning to school and all the fall activities kicking into action.

Looking for something to hold you accountable? BACK TO TWERK CHALLENGE!

For 30 (ish) Days, we challenge you to get to the studio as many days as possible. It’s not about the volume of classes that you take, it’s more about the work (and twerk) that you’re putting into those classes! We’ve got some great prizes to incentivize you to get back to the studio and into your fall fitness routine!

Meet Chris! A 500 class club member, lover of Just Burn (and Just Sweat) classes, and JDR Instructor Kelly’s cousin, Chris has been a loyal Just Dance Roanoke member since the summer of 2014. He’s proof that, yes, men enjoy JDR classes too! You can always find Chris socializing in the lobby before and after class with the many friends he’s met at JDR.

Who or what brought you to your first class at JDR?

My wonderful cousin Kelly McDow a.k.a. Pepper. She had been asking me for a year to come try a Just Burn class.

What is your favorite JDR event you’ve attended?

JDR’s 3rd Birthday Party and Party in Pink.

Favorite piece of JDR swag you own?

The first JDR thing I ever had – a white Just Dance Roanoke tank.

Favorite song/genre to dance to in class?

I lean towards hip-hop but anything with a good beat that I can get into: rap, electronic, retro-rock, Michael Jackson…

Anything else you’d like the JDR family to know about you?

Going to the studio for a Burn class, I had no idea what Zumba was and I couldn’t dance. I started in the back row with a two step and now I’ve moved to the front row. I’ve gained a lot of confidence dancing at JDR. The awesome instructors and participants are like family and constantly encourage and support one another.

INTERVIEWED BY MORGAN JESSEE, JUST DANCE ROANOKE MEMBER SERVICES DIRECTOR

Meet Corinna Dunn, a member of the 2016 Instructor Training class! She’s been taking dance fitness classes for years and was hooked from the first song. Corinna is so excited to share her love of dance with her JDR family. Her energy is so contagious and that smile – whew! Corinna is a great energy and kind soul to have on our JDR team and we’re thrilled to have her!

Who or what inspired you to become an instructor?

I have been in love with dance forever but when I first began taking dance fitness classes, I didn’t know what I was in for. It was with Sara in January of 2011 at a local gym and I was so scared because I didn’t know what to expect. But when the beat dropped, I knew that I was in love! I knew then that I wanted to become an instructor. Getting to share that passion and love for dance and fitness together with others is an amazing experience!

Welcome to “The Beat”, your go-to to keep up with all things JDR. We’ll try our best to keep it up every few weeks and keep things brief so you can get the Down Low on all the Disco Ball Drama, from closed business days, blog updates, special events and classes and new songs!

JDR Spotlight: Whitney Shell

Whitney Shell gives us her scoop on how she makes time to squeeze in fitness between working full time, being a mom and a wife. Want to know her secret?

I always carry my gym bag with me for those “just in case” times that I can make a workout happen.

Learn more about Whitney, what songs are her favorite and how she danced her way into the 500 club.

Best of Roanoke: Girl’s Night Out

A huge thank you for everyone who voted for us in the Roanoker Magazine for “Best Girls Night Out!” We scored the gold and can’t thank you enough for spreading the JDR love with your girlfriends and with all of Roanoke!

Summer Schedule Changes

We do our best to maintain a consistent schedule for our participants, but certain times of year things come up and we need to make a few tweeks to the schedule.

Starting this week the following schedule changes will take place:

Wednesday’s at 5:00p: Amanda Camden will be taking over for Jessica

Jessica has a full time job in sales and her current work schedule is making it a struggle to be at the studio on time. Jess is still staying on as a member of the team, just taking a step back while work is insane! Don’t you just hate it when work gets in the way of fun?

Sunday’s at 3:30p: Chelsea Arritt will be taking over for Amanda

With Amanda taking on Wednesday nights, we need to make sure she isn’t overloaded and still has time for her family. In order to give her a weekend day at home with the family, Chelsea will be rocking out with you on Sunday afternoons.

JDR Spotlight is a series where we get introduce you to some of our JDR Junkies. This gives you the chance to see the variety of participants we have at Just Dance Roanoke and allows you to get to know your dancing BFF’s a little better.

Meet Whitney Shell! A self-proclaimed workout junkie and JDR addict, Whitney has taken over 600 classes since we opened our doors at the studio. She’s a regular attendee at our Wake n’ Shake 5:30am classes (because the early bird gets the worm, right?). Whitney is rarely without a smile on her face and is such a sweet soul to have around! Less than 400 dances left until you make it to the Land of 1000 Dances, Whitney, and we’ll be here to cheer you on the whole way!

Who or what brought you to your first class at JDR?

I discovered JDR when Alison was teaching in the basement of Green Memorial Church (one of the first JDR non-gym locations) instantly was hooked! I followed JDR around taking classes here and there until the studio opened.

What is your favorite JDR event you’ve attended?

My favorite JDR event has to be the Party in Pink events! So fun and for such a wonderful cause!

Welcome to “The Beat”, your go-to to keep up with all things JDR. We’ll try our best to keep it up every few weeks and keep things brief so you can get the Down Low on all the Disco Ball Drama, from closed business days, blog updates, special events and classes and new songs!

A LOVE NOTE FROM SARA (JDR Owner/ Creative Director):

Dear JDR Fam,

I started to write a weekly newsletter/ blog post “The Beat” in March in hopes that it would give me a way to connect with the JDR participants and keep them in the loop without clogging up their inbox. Seemed like a good idea right? Then in mid-April, my life got busy. I know what you’re thinking…”Sara, you keep your life busy ALL THE TIME”. But this time I added a moving into my new home to the list of crazy. With community events (Race for the Cure, Color Run & Relay for Life), work trips for my full time job at Siemens Healthcare, hosting a Zumba Education Specialist and hiring a team of fabulous trainees & cultivating their program, my plate was a little fuller than normal. [Read more…]

We had a blast in February when we hosted “Duets Week” it only made sense to bring it back for the spring! Our instructors are teaming up to co-teach (aka Duet) almost every class next week starting this Saturday, May 21st!

We see you posting on social media all the time telling your friends how much you LOVE JDR, so to show our appreciation for your adoration, we wanted to give you a chance to bring a few new friends for FREE!

Here’s the deets:

Offer only good for first time dancers. (If you’ve been to another “free” class at the studio, or attended class ages ago, that counts…sorry)

JDR Spotlight is a series where we get introduce you to some of our JDR Junkies. This gives you the chance to see the variety of participants we have at Just Dance Roanoke and allows you to get to know your dancing BFF’s a little better.

Meet Lynda Sowers! She has officially taken 507 classes (and counting) at Just Dance Roanoke, but she’s been dancing with Sara since well before the studio days! If you’ve ever been to Chelsea & Kelly’s JDR: After Dark class, I’m sure you’ve seen her shaking it in the front row. We always love seeing Lynda’s smiling face walk through our doors. Her energy and zest for life is contagious. Here’s to the next 500 and your journey to the Land of 1000 Dances, Lynda!

Who or what brought you to your first class at JDR?

I had been taking classes from Sara and her instructor team when they were at outside gyms and other locations around town. When she left to open her own studio, I followed enthusiastically.

What is your favorite JDR event you’ve attended?

Booty Boot Camp with Sara Bremer and Erica Butler (guest instructor from Charlotte based Queen City Danceout!) followed by Master Class.

Favorite outfit to twerk-out in?

The 2013 DYHO Red JDR tank with big white heart.

Favorite song/genre to dance to in class?

Anything else you’d like the JDR family to know about you?

JDR has helped me gain more freedom and joy with dance. I just don’t worry about what other people think of me when I dance any more. JDR is one of my happy places. Both the instructors and members are amazing. It feels like a family.

INTERVIEWED BY MORGAN JESSEE, JUST DANCE ROANOKE MEMBER SERVICES DIRECTOR

Welcome to “The Beat”, your go-to to keep up with all things JDR. We’ll try our best to keep it up every Sunday night and keep things brief so you can get the Down Low on all the Disco Ball Drama, from closed business days, blog updates, special events and classes and new songs!

JDR Spotlight: Beth Mays

You’ve seen her in the front row, rockin’ the newest JDR Gear, now get to know her a little better in this week’s JDR Spotlight. Beth’s not danced over 1000 classes, Just Burned and Sweated her way fit!

+Click here to read more

Race For the Cure: Saturday April 9th

We will once again be getting the runners pumped up before the race on Saturday morning! We have a team that includes members that will be running the 5K, Walking the 5K and running the 10K. You can also “Sleep in for the Cure” and join our team.